After a prolonged 15-month court martial, the most controversial chief of the ISI and a close confidant of Imran Khan, retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, has finally met his fate: he has been sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The sentence will take effect from 11 December 2025, meaning he will remain incarcerated until 11 December 2039. He has been convicted under four separate charges.

The allegations for which Faiz was tried do not include the charge of devising the conspiracy that led to the coordinated attacks on military installations on 9 May 2023 with the intent of rebellion. However, a military spokesperson confirmed that his attempts — in collaboration with certain political actors — to incite unrest and destabilise the country are being examined separately.
These matters have not been explicitly detailed, but it is widely believed that Faiz will face a separate trial over the 9 May conspiracy.

It may be recalled that a day after his detention, during a court appearance, former prime minister Imran Khan alleged that the entire “drama” involving Faiz Hameed was orchestrated to drag him (Imran) before a military court. He accused the authorities of attempting to turn Faiz into an approver against him. On the other hand, the military spokesperson stated that, as per the Supreme Court’s ruling, disciplinary action under the Pakistan Army Act had been initiated against the retired general.
Proceedings formally commenced on 12 August 2024, with the case record spanning over 850 pages.
The verdict of the military court was sent to the Adjutant General for clearance and later forwarded to Army Chief General Asim Munir, whose final approval led to the announcement of the 14-year sentence.

According to ISPR, a Field General Court Martial was initiated against retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed under the Pakistan Army Act, and the sentence was finalised upon conclusion of proceedings. This marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former ISI chief has been convicted following a court martial.
The spokesperson further stated that the convict retains the right to appeal before the appropriate forum. He elaborated that Faiz was tried under four charges:

• involvement in political activities,
• violation of the Official Secrets Act,
• misuse of authority and state resources, and
• causing unlawful harm to individuals for personal gain.

After a lengthy and meticulous legal process, the court ruled Faiz guilty on all counts. The Field General Court Martial fulfilled all legal requirements and provided him full opportunity to defend himself, including the freedom to choose a legal team of his preference.

It is noteworthy that Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed had replaced Asim Munir as DG ISI during Imran Khan’s tenure. Later, he was posted as Corps Commander Peshawar. However, after General Asim Munir became Army Chief, Faiz opted for early retirement.
Reports indicate that the proceedings of the court martial revealed several disturbing aspects. The most painful element for Faiz was Imran Khan’s attitude. Despite Faiz having risked his reputation — and even his life — for PTI, Imran Khan abandoned him after issuing just one brief statement and instructed party leaders to distance themselves from Faiz.

Faiz had submitted a list of 90 witnesses in his defence, including former prime ministers Imran Khan and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, former DG ISI General Naveed Mukhtar, former DG ISI General Nadeem Anjum, and 35 other prominent politicians.
However:

• 50 of those individuals did not even agree to meet Faiz’s wife.
• Only 40 initially met him, and
• 37 of them declined to testify in his favour.

In the end, only three people testified for him — including his son-in-law, Brigadier Hamid Dar.
A man who once stood at the centre of Pakistan’s political and power structure will now spend the next 14 years behind bars.

Political analysts say that Faiz Hameed is now reaping what he sowed during his period of influence. Those appointed to powerful positions must understand that authority is like a wild horse — it always changes its rider. Yesterday, Faiz was in the saddle; today, someone else is; tomorrow, it will be another person.
This world is a place of lessons, they say — and one must exercise humility when wielding power, for no condition is permanent.